/ ˈdeprəkeɪt; NAmE / verb
[ vn ] ( formal ) to feel and express strong disapproval of sth
► dep·re·cat·ing (also less frequent dep·re·ca·tory / ˌdeprəˈkeɪtəri; NAmE ˈdeprɪkətɔːri/) adjective :
a deprecating comment
► dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (in the sense pray against ): from Latin deprecat- prayed against (as being evil), from the verb deprecari , from de- (expressing reversal) + precari pray.